A/n: Review? Review! Review! Thank you! Hey, that rymed. Cool!
Part Five: Holidays
They appeared back to Hogwarts and, after placing Sirius under an invisibility cloak, carried him to the guest rooms on the first floor, where Dumbleore was waiting for them. Madam Pomfrey didn't know Sirius was innocent, so they couldn't send him to the Hospital Wing, so they decided to nurse him there instead. Moaning Mytrel agreed to give up haunting her bathroom, for a time, so that people would be discouraged from entering the room. The only problem was Sirius himself.
"He was hit with the Revef curse," Dumbledore said after examining him. "It infects the victim with six months of incurrable fever. When in this state a person has no need to eat or drink, which explains why he's still alive. However, if we can get him some water every few hours he would recover a lot more quickly."
"So he'll be O.K.?" Harry said hopefully.
"Yes, he will recover, but he will no doubt be shaken by this experience Harry, much like you were last year. But if I know Sirius- and I know him well- he will express an emotion you didn't very often, anger." Dumbledore sighed and waved his want. A pitcher of water and a glass appeared. They flew over and landed on a night stand beside Sirius. "It will always be full." With that Dumbledore sat down on the bed next to Sirius and began to give him some water.
Harry just watched. He didn't even attempt to move. He was briefly aware of Professor McGonagall putting a hand on his shoulder, or the door closing behind Gretchen as she left the room. Finally the Professor said, "Go, Harry. Come back in two hours. Sirius won't recover any quicker with you standing there." Harry nodded reluctantly and went back to the common room, expect to see Gretchen there waiting for him, but she was no were to be seen. Harry was about to get the Murderar's Map but then remembered that he had never taken it back when Moody, who turned out to be Barty Croutch, borrowed it from him last year. He decided to go to Professor Elestor's office to see if it was perhaps there.
Harry hurried to the third floor. When he approached the teachers office, he found that the door was ajar and there were two voices to be heard speaking at the other end. "I'll be keeping my eye on you," Professor Elestor warned.
"I know," said a softer, smaller voice. "But I assure you, I will do fine on my own."
There was a brief pause. "Very, well. Now, leave, quickly," Professor Elestor said. Just then someone warring black cloak, hood drawn up so he couldn't see the face, walked out of the room. Whoever it was hurried across the room and out the door, where Harry could here running in the halls. Harry decided that it was best not to look for the map at that moment. He did n't want Elestor to know he had caught her doing whatever it was she
was doing so he quickly headed for the Gryffindor Common Room. "There you are," Gretchen said as he entered.
"There you are," he said mocking. "Where were you when I first came in?"
"Probably in the girls dorms, looking for something..." Gretchen blushed a bit. She reacher into her pocket and pulled out a smooth white stone and handed it to Harry. "It's for you," she said. Harry hesitently took it from her hand and examined it.
"What is it?" he asked.
"It's a stone of good fortune. I'm not one to believe in luck myself but...well...it's just something I had. You see those two engravings on the side? One means health and the other happiness. I thought you might like it, considering this is hard for you and all...." her voice trailed off.
"Thank you," Harry managed. He was at a complete loss for words. Gretchen smiled and began reading her book. Harry stumbeled into the Boys Dorms, plunging on
his bed and, even though he had only been awake for a few hours, fell asleep.
"Wake Up!" shouted an annoyed voice. Harry opened his eyes to see Iris Indigo standing over him.
"What are you doing here," Harry asked.
"Gretta or Gretchen or whoever asked me to wake you up and remind you about SB, whatever that is. So, if you'll excuse me..," Iris turned around and left the room. Harry practedly jumped. Sb. Sirius Black. Had it already been two hours? Harry looked at his lock. Yes! It had been!
Harry dived down the stairs and ran though the halls to get to Sirius. The holidays progressed in such a manner. Before Harry knew it, fall had passed, and it was Christmas. Sirius was getting better, with the help of Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Gretchen, but was not awake yet. "Where are we going to get presents?" Hermione asked one day as she, Harry, and Ron walked together. "We can't go to Hogsmede."
"Oh, don't worry, there's always the candy shop," Harry said.
"Yeah, and if that doesn't work we can follow in my brothers' example and give everyone toilet seats," Ron said, referring to the time Fred and George had tried to give Harry a toilet seat in his first year. The three chuckled and headed back to the common room, all considering silently in their minds what would make the best gift.
Then the day finally came. Harry wasn't in a celebration mood when he woke up that morning. He wasn't sure whether that was because it was too early or because of Sirius, but either way, Christmas just wasn't as magical as it should have been.
Harry looked at the pile of gifts by his bed and began to open them. Harry saw four presents, exactly what he was expecting, picked one up and opened it. The first was from Hagrid. Hagrid had gotten him his own copy of To Have the Golden Eye: Jecan Jameston's Official Biography. Harry knew who Jecan Jameston was. He was who most considered to be the best seeker of all time. Harry made a mental note to thank Hagrid next time he saw him.
Harry turned his attention to his next package, a green sweater from Mrs. Weasly and some sweets. The next package was a bit smaller and Harry wondered whether it was from Ron or Hermione but after reading the card and found that it was from...
Dear Harry,
We hope this holiday is the best on yet! Hope this
helps you replace what you lost last year.
With love,
Ron and Hermione
Harry opened the green wrapping paper carefully. Inside was a white box. Harry opened the box and inside found something he never expected: A watch. But not just a watch, a wizard watch like the one Ron had. Harry didn't even know how to read it but he was swelling with pride! That left one question: Who had sent him the last gift?
Harry picked up the gift and opened in carefully, wondering who it was from. It contained one box of chocolate frogs and some cauldron cakes. A small white, piece of paper fell from it.
Merry Christmas Harry! Hope things get better with the holidays.
Love Gretchen
Harry smiled in spite of himself. He hadn't expected a present from Gretchen. He had sent her some cauldron cakes, but he had thought that the stone she had given him months ago would count as a present. Harry looked at the stone. It was sitting on the top of his trunk because he had been looking at it the night before. He shoved it in his pocket and hurried down to the great hall.
"Merry Christmas," He greeted as he sat sown next to Ron at the single table in the
great hall. "Where's Hermione?"
"She's with Gretchen," Ron explained. "There're complaining about boys."
"What happened?"
"Well, you know that ravenclaw boy that likes Hermione?" Harry nodded. "Well, she kissed him last week. She wrote Krum and he wrote back saying they broke up."
"Really?" Harry said, stunned.
"Really. That's not all. Justin broke up with Gretchen before he left for the train yesterday. The two are in the bathroom doing some girl brake up ritual which has something to do with crying and chocolate ice cream..."
"Not ice cream, sundays!" said Ginny Weasly as she sat down next to them, "Don't you boys know anything?" Harry and Ron looked eachother, shrugged and started eating. Ginny sighed and began to eat as well.
Harry looked around the table. There weren't as many people as usual. There were the four Weaslys, two ravenclaws, and a few huffelpuffs. Hermione was staying because he parents had been called away on some sort of dentists retreat and Ron's parents were in Romania with Charlie. Not meny professors stayed, either. Only, Dumbledore, McGonagall, and Madam Pomfrey. Across the table Professor McGonagall and Madam Pomfrey were enaging in an annoyingly loud conversation. "Well, most people are scared about he-who-must-not be named, that's why they're all going home. Even Severus left, and he never leaves!"
"Well, that's to be expected, Poppy. Look what the man's already done." There was a silence. The rest of the day continued on in that manner. Hermione, still upset about Krum, went to the arms of Terry, the ravenclaw boy she was now seeing. Gretchen became suddenly fascinated with Hogwarts,a History and didn't do much talking, which left Harry and Ron alone with Fred and George. They had a pretty fun day, but Harry missed having Hermione around.
Finally the evening feast came. All nine students and two staff members came. Harry didn't see Dumbledore. He wondered were the old man was. About halfway through the feast he showed up, warring brand new socks (curtesy of Harry and Gretchen, for Harry remembered what the old man had said in front of the mirror of Erised all those years ago, and Gretchen thought everyone deserved a good laugh) "I'd like to thank anonymous one and two for the socks he said as he sat down, peering in their direction. Harry had to kick Gretchen in the leg to keep her from laughing. She promptly hit him in the arm.
Out of the corner of his eye Harry saw a pleasant looking ravenclaw girl smiling at him. Mandy Blocklehurst. She was in Divination with, Harry, though she mostly kept to herself. He smiled back at her. She was really quite beautiful. She had golden hair that curled around her chin, soft blue eyes, and a short square nose that held the rim of thin, black glasses...
Harry felt his pulse race and his cheeks go red. Why was he acting so childish in front f her? He quickly sat up straight and started eating his meal, which must have surprised Gretchen because she gave him a look of utter confusion, which Harry took no notice of. "That was really sweat of you," Mandy said as she moved closer to him and he mover farther away from his friends.
"Oh? That was nothing," he said smoothly. "Enjoying the holidays?"
"Oh, yes," Mandy said, smiling to show off her perfect white teeth. "I heard that they're going to cancel Quiddich?"
"Yes. They've post ponded the first game for three months. They'll announce that it's not happening soon. Are you a big Quiddich fan?"
"Well, it's interesting. Some of the mathematical principals are...." Harry laughed, cutting her off. She gave him a cross look.
"Quiddich isn't about math, it's about having fun and playing the game." Mandy still looked cross. "Do you want me to show you? I could take you on a broom ride sometime?"
Mandy smiled and her cheeks turned pink. "That sounds..great." Harry smiled at her. The feast was nearly done, and the two parted as Harry headed quickly for the Gryffindor common room. Then suddenly, the realization came. He had just asked a girl out on a date.
"What happened," Ron asked as soon as he saw Harry.
"I asked her out," Harry said quickly.
"What!"
"I asked her out! We were talking and it just kinda happened," explained Harry. Ron looked stunned.
"How could you do this to me? I'm the only one without a date," he exclaimed.
"A date to what?" Harry questioned.
"Oh, you know what I mean. Hermione has a boyfriend, you have a girlfriend....."
"I asked her out on a date. That doesn't make her my girlfriend." Ron gave Harry a desperate glance. "Well, Gretchen doesn't have a boyfriend, why don't you just asked her out."
"No, I don't really like her much any more. Well, I like her but...not in that way."
Harry nodded. "I need to go see Sirius," he said, "I'll be back soon." Ron nodded and Harry left. The walk down the quiet halls was surprisingly soothing. It felt good knowing.....Harry frowned. He didn't know anything, but that didn't really matter because he was happy just the same. Maybe it was because of Mandy.....
"What are you doing here?" he asked suddenly.
"I thought you had forgotten," Gretchen explained as she tipped some water down Sirius's throat. He was babbeling about something, which made the job hard.
"Let me help," Harry offered quickly. The two worked together and Sirius fell into a deep sleep. Harry sighed. "It's so hard looking at him like that. Sirius is like a father to me."
"Then it must be hard," Gretchen said. "But if you're asking for comfort, I can't give you any." Harry looked at her oddly.
"You don't know your father......do you?" he said. Gretchen shrugged.
"I know who he is, but he doesn't know about me. My mother had him under a love potion. He doesn't remember anything," she explained.
"How is he?" Harry asked.
"I don't want to say."
"Oh, off it. I won't tell anyone," Harry said. "Maybe I'll even help you contact him."
"Contact him? Why would I do that?" asked Gretchen.
"Well, don't you think he has the right to know if he has a daughter?" Gretchen pondered this thought. Her eyes narrowed as she stared at nothing, her mind seemed to be far away from the world around her. She sighed.
"If I live to see the summer holidays, I'll tell you. And him." Harry began to laugh, assuming she was joking, but she didn't even giggle. She looked serious.
"All right," said Harry finally. Then he added, "Gretchen is something wrong?"
She looked up at him. "No, nothing." And then she left the room. Harry knew she was lying. What she had said, the way she had acted, had scared him visibly. Harry could see his hands tremble. She knew more then she was letting on.
Gretchen avoided Harry for the rest of the holidays and then started to hang around with Neville. It wasn't long before everyone but Ron had a date and then.....
Harry and Mandy were sitting in the library pretending to read while Ron talked and talked about how he needed a girl friend. They were waiting for him to stop so that they could both go get a book and make a small detour to the back of the library, which just happened to be nick-named "Makeout Point". That was when he spotted Lavender Brown, a Gryffindor who was helping him with divination. Harry and Mandy quickly left to make out and by the end of the hour they had company.
All and all things were going good. Sirius was getting stronger everyday. What could go wrong?
Part Five: Holidays
They appeared back to Hogwarts and, after placing Sirius under an invisibility cloak, carried him to the guest rooms on the first floor, where Dumbleore was waiting for them. Madam Pomfrey didn't know Sirius was innocent, so they couldn't send him to the Hospital Wing, so they decided to nurse him there instead. Moaning Mytrel agreed to give up haunting her bathroom, for a time, so that people would be discouraged from entering the room. The only problem was Sirius himself.
"He was hit with the Revef curse," Dumbledore said after examining him. "It infects the victim with six months of incurrable fever. When in this state a person has no need to eat or drink, which explains why he's still alive. However, if we can get him some water every few hours he would recover a lot more quickly."
"So he'll be O.K.?" Harry said hopefully.
"Yes, he will recover, but he will no doubt be shaken by this experience Harry, much like you were last year. But if I know Sirius- and I know him well- he will express an emotion you didn't very often, anger." Dumbledore sighed and waved his want. A pitcher of water and a glass appeared. They flew over and landed on a night stand beside Sirius. "It will always be full." With that Dumbledore sat down on the bed next to Sirius and began to give him some water.
Harry just watched. He didn't even attempt to move. He was briefly aware of Professor McGonagall putting a hand on his shoulder, or the door closing behind Gretchen as she left the room. Finally the Professor said, "Go, Harry. Come back in two hours. Sirius won't recover any quicker with you standing there." Harry nodded reluctantly and went back to the common room, expect to see Gretchen there waiting for him, but she was no were to be seen. Harry was about to get the Murderar's Map but then remembered that he had never taken it back when Moody, who turned out to be Barty Croutch, borrowed it from him last year. He decided to go to Professor Elestor's office to see if it was perhaps there.
Harry hurried to the third floor. When he approached the teachers office, he found that the door was ajar and there were two voices to be heard speaking at the other end. "I'll be keeping my eye on you," Professor Elestor warned.
"I know," said a softer, smaller voice. "But I assure you, I will do fine on my own."
There was a brief pause. "Very, well. Now, leave, quickly," Professor Elestor said. Just then someone warring black cloak, hood drawn up so he couldn't see the face, walked out of the room. Whoever it was hurried across the room and out the door, where Harry could here running in the halls. Harry decided that it was best not to look for the map at that moment. He did n't want Elestor to know he had caught her doing whatever it was she
was doing so he quickly headed for the Gryffindor Common Room. "There you are," Gretchen said as he entered.
"There you are," he said mocking. "Where were you when I first came in?"
"Probably in the girls dorms, looking for something..." Gretchen blushed a bit. She reacher into her pocket and pulled out a smooth white stone and handed it to Harry. "It's for you," she said. Harry hesitently took it from her hand and examined it.
"What is it?" he asked.
"It's a stone of good fortune. I'm not one to believe in luck myself but...well...it's just something I had. You see those two engravings on the side? One means health and the other happiness. I thought you might like it, considering this is hard for you and all...." her voice trailed off.
"Thank you," Harry managed. He was at a complete loss for words. Gretchen smiled and began reading her book. Harry stumbeled into the Boys Dorms, plunging on
his bed and, even though he had only been awake for a few hours, fell asleep.
"Wake Up!" shouted an annoyed voice. Harry opened his eyes to see Iris Indigo standing over him.
"What are you doing here," Harry asked.
"Gretta or Gretchen or whoever asked me to wake you up and remind you about SB, whatever that is. So, if you'll excuse me..," Iris turned around and left the room. Harry practedly jumped. Sb. Sirius Black. Had it already been two hours? Harry looked at his lock. Yes! It had been!
Harry dived down the stairs and ran though the halls to get to Sirius. The holidays progressed in such a manner. Before Harry knew it, fall had passed, and it was Christmas. Sirius was getting better, with the help of Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Gretchen, but was not awake yet. "Where are we going to get presents?" Hermione asked one day as she, Harry, and Ron walked together. "We can't go to Hogsmede."
"Oh, don't worry, there's always the candy shop," Harry said.
"Yeah, and if that doesn't work we can follow in my brothers' example and give everyone toilet seats," Ron said, referring to the time Fred and George had tried to give Harry a toilet seat in his first year. The three chuckled and headed back to the common room, all considering silently in their minds what would make the best gift.
Then the day finally came. Harry wasn't in a celebration mood when he woke up that morning. He wasn't sure whether that was because it was too early or because of Sirius, but either way, Christmas just wasn't as magical as it should have been.
Harry looked at the pile of gifts by his bed and began to open them. Harry saw four presents, exactly what he was expecting, picked one up and opened it. The first was from Hagrid. Hagrid had gotten him his own copy of To Have the Golden Eye: Jecan Jameston's Official Biography. Harry knew who Jecan Jameston was. He was who most considered to be the best seeker of all time. Harry made a mental note to thank Hagrid next time he saw him.
Harry turned his attention to his next package, a green sweater from Mrs. Weasly and some sweets. The next package was a bit smaller and Harry wondered whether it was from Ron or Hermione but after reading the card and found that it was from...
Dear Harry,
We hope this holiday is the best on yet! Hope this
helps you replace what you lost last year.
With love,
Ron and Hermione
Harry opened the green wrapping paper carefully. Inside was a white box. Harry opened the box and inside found something he never expected: A watch. But not just a watch, a wizard watch like the one Ron had. Harry didn't even know how to read it but he was swelling with pride! That left one question: Who had sent him the last gift?
Harry picked up the gift and opened in carefully, wondering who it was from. It contained one box of chocolate frogs and some cauldron cakes. A small white, piece of paper fell from it.
Merry Christmas Harry! Hope things get better with the holidays.
Love Gretchen
Harry smiled in spite of himself. He hadn't expected a present from Gretchen. He had sent her some cauldron cakes, but he had thought that the stone she had given him months ago would count as a present. Harry looked at the stone. It was sitting on the top of his trunk because he had been looking at it the night before. He shoved it in his pocket and hurried down to the great hall.
"Merry Christmas," He greeted as he sat sown next to Ron at the single table in the
great hall. "Where's Hermione?"
"She's with Gretchen," Ron explained. "There're complaining about boys."
"What happened?"
"Well, you know that ravenclaw boy that likes Hermione?" Harry nodded. "Well, she kissed him last week. She wrote Krum and he wrote back saying they broke up."
"Really?" Harry said, stunned.
"Really. That's not all. Justin broke up with Gretchen before he left for the train yesterday. The two are in the bathroom doing some girl brake up ritual which has something to do with crying and chocolate ice cream..."
"Not ice cream, sundays!" said Ginny Weasly as she sat down next to them, "Don't you boys know anything?" Harry and Ron looked eachother, shrugged and started eating. Ginny sighed and began to eat as well.
Harry looked around the table. There weren't as many people as usual. There were the four Weaslys, two ravenclaws, and a few huffelpuffs. Hermione was staying because he parents had been called away on some sort of dentists retreat and Ron's parents were in Romania with Charlie. Not meny professors stayed, either. Only, Dumbledore, McGonagall, and Madam Pomfrey. Across the table Professor McGonagall and Madam Pomfrey were enaging in an annoyingly loud conversation. "Well, most people are scared about he-who-must-not be named, that's why they're all going home. Even Severus left, and he never leaves!"
"Well, that's to be expected, Poppy. Look what the man's already done." There was a silence. The rest of the day continued on in that manner. Hermione, still upset about Krum, went to the arms of Terry, the ravenclaw boy she was now seeing. Gretchen became suddenly fascinated with Hogwarts,a History and didn't do much talking, which left Harry and Ron alone with Fred and George. They had a pretty fun day, but Harry missed having Hermione around.
Finally the evening feast came. All nine students and two staff members came. Harry didn't see Dumbledore. He wondered were the old man was. About halfway through the feast he showed up, warring brand new socks (curtesy of Harry and Gretchen, for Harry remembered what the old man had said in front of the mirror of Erised all those years ago, and Gretchen thought everyone deserved a good laugh) "I'd like to thank anonymous one and two for the socks he said as he sat down, peering in their direction. Harry had to kick Gretchen in the leg to keep her from laughing. She promptly hit him in the arm.
Out of the corner of his eye Harry saw a pleasant looking ravenclaw girl smiling at him. Mandy Blocklehurst. She was in Divination with, Harry, though she mostly kept to herself. He smiled back at her. She was really quite beautiful. She had golden hair that curled around her chin, soft blue eyes, and a short square nose that held the rim of thin, black glasses...
Harry felt his pulse race and his cheeks go red. Why was he acting so childish in front f her? He quickly sat up straight and started eating his meal, which must have surprised Gretchen because she gave him a look of utter confusion, which Harry took no notice of. "That was really sweat of you," Mandy said as she moved closer to him and he mover farther away from his friends.
"Oh? That was nothing," he said smoothly. "Enjoying the holidays?"
"Oh, yes," Mandy said, smiling to show off her perfect white teeth. "I heard that they're going to cancel Quiddich?"
"Yes. They've post ponded the first game for three months. They'll announce that it's not happening soon. Are you a big Quiddich fan?"
"Well, it's interesting. Some of the mathematical principals are...." Harry laughed, cutting her off. She gave him a cross look.
"Quiddich isn't about math, it's about having fun and playing the game." Mandy still looked cross. "Do you want me to show you? I could take you on a broom ride sometime?"
Mandy smiled and her cheeks turned pink. "That sounds..great." Harry smiled at her. The feast was nearly done, and the two parted as Harry headed quickly for the Gryffindor common room. Then suddenly, the realization came. He had just asked a girl out on a date.
"What happened," Ron asked as soon as he saw Harry.
"I asked her out," Harry said quickly.
"What!"
"I asked her out! We were talking and it just kinda happened," explained Harry. Ron looked stunned.
"How could you do this to me? I'm the only one without a date," he exclaimed.
"A date to what?" Harry questioned.
"Oh, you know what I mean. Hermione has a boyfriend, you have a girlfriend....."
"I asked her out on a date. That doesn't make her my girlfriend." Ron gave Harry a desperate glance. "Well, Gretchen doesn't have a boyfriend, why don't you just asked her out."
"No, I don't really like her much any more. Well, I like her but...not in that way."
Harry nodded. "I need to go see Sirius," he said, "I'll be back soon." Ron nodded and Harry left. The walk down the quiet halls was surprisingly soothing. It felt good knowing.....Harry frowned. He didn't know anything, but that didn't really matter because he was happy just the same. Maybe it was because of Mandy.....
"What are you doing here?" he asked suddenly.
"I thought you had forgotten," Gretchen explained as she tipped some water down Sirius's throat. He was babbeling about something, which made the job hard.
"Let me help," Harry offered quickly. The two worked together and Sirius fell into a deep sleep. Harry sighed. "It's so hard looking at him like that. Sirius is like a father to me."
"Then it must be hard," Gretchen said. "But if you're asking for comfort, I can't give you any." Harry looked at her oddly.
"You don't know your father......do you?" he said. Gretchen shrugged.
"I know who he is, but he doesn't know about me. My mother had him under a love potion. He doesn't remember anything," she explained.
"How is he?" Harry asked.
"I don't want to say."
"Oh, off it. I won't tell anyone," Harry said. "Maybe I'll even help you contact him."
"Contact him? Why would I do that?" asked Gretchen.
"Well, don't you think he has the right to know if he has a daughter?" Gretchen pondered this thought. Her eyes narrowed as she stared at nothing, her mind seemed to be far away from the world around her. She sighed.
"If I live to see the summer holidays, I'll tell you. And him." Harry began to laugh, assuming she was joking, but she didn't even giggle. She looked serious.
"All right," said Harry finally. Then he added, "Gretchen is something wrong?"
She looked up at him. "No, nothing." And then she left the room. Harry knew she was lying. What she had said, the way she had acted, had scared him visibly. Harry could see his hands tremble. She knew more then she was letting on.
Gretchen avoided Harry for the rest of the holidays and then started to hang around with Neville. It wasn't long before everyone but Ron had a date and then.....
Harry and Mandy were sitting in the library pretending to read while Ron talked and talked about how he needed a girl friend. They were waiting for him to stop so that they could both go get a book and make a small detour to the back of the library, which just happened to be nick-named "Makeout Point". That was when he spotted Lavender Brown, a Gryffindor who was helping him with divination. Harry and Mandy quickly left to make out and by the end of the hour they had company.
All and all things were going good. Sirius was getting stronger everyday. What could go wrong?